SeriesFest Reveals 2021 Virtual Lineup, Including Jennifer Garner, Mark Duplass, Ann Dowd, ‘The Daily Show’
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
The Denver-based TV festival SeriesFest is once again going virtual this year, unveiling a lineup of events that include the world premiere of Peacock’s docuseries “Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell,” as well as conversations with guests including actors Jennifer Garner and Mark Duplass, and YouTube chief business officer Robert Kyncl, and panels dissecting “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” and much more.
The seventh year of the event, dubbed “SeriesFest: Season 7,” takes place from June 24 to July 11 and revolves around the theme “What’s Next?” and includes several panels and screenings that dive into the future of programming.
More from Variety
HBO Acquires Jacqueline Pereda's Spanglish Short 'Generation Por Qué?' (EXCLUSIVE)
Showtime Orders Public Domain Anthology Series 'Cinema Toast' From Jeff Baena, Duplass Brothers
Also, as part of the festival, actor Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “The Leftovers”) will receive the inaugural “SeriesFest Impact in Television Award,” which SeriesFest describes as “recognizing trailblazers who have made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance in television.”
“This past year left an indelible imprint on our narratives,” co-founders Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook said in a joint statement. “SeriesFest Season 7 is about ‘What’s Next?’ as we collectively move forward and provide a much needed forum of reflection, and platform, for amazing storytellers with lots to share. We can’t wait for people around the globe to have an opportunity to come together.”
The premiere of “Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell” kicks off SeriesFest on June 24 with a screening, followed by discussion with the director and executive producers from Blue Ant Studios. Other special events include a screening of the Peacock limited drama series based on the Wondery podcast “Dr. Death,” followed by a Q&A with series stars Joshua Jackson, Christian Slater, AnnaSophia Robb and executive producer Patrick Macmanus and director Maggie Kiley; a screening of the first three episodes of The CW series “The Republic of Sarah” followed by a Q&A with the cast; and a screening of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Underground Railroad” with some of the series’ creative team members.
SeriesFest wraps with a closing night event centered on the premiere screening of AMC’s “The Beast Must Die” followed by a Q&A with cast Jared Harris and Cush Jumbo, writer Gaby Chiappe and director Dome Karukoski.
Among SeriesFest’s “Innovation Talks” series of conversations will include Jennifer Garner; Kyncl speaking with Liberty Global CEO and vice chairman Mike Fries; Wondery’s Hernan Lopez talking to LionTree co-head of LT growth James Lindsay; actor/producer Mark Duplass; and ColorCreative president Talitha Watkins speaking with Universal Pictures CMO Michael Moses.
Among series that will feature their own panels: the cast and creators of FX’s “Dave”; “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” featuring Desi Lydic, Dulcé Sloan, Jen Flanz, Zhubin Parang and Dan Amira; “The Real World Homecoming: New York,” with creator Jonathan Murray, and cast members Kevin Powell and Julie Gentry; Nat Geo’s “City So Real,” with filmmaker Steve James and team; and a screening of the entire season one of “Total Control” along with a Q&A with cast/creatives including Rachel Griffiths, Deborah Mailman and Darren Dale.
Additional screenings include “Anything for You,” “Tankhouse,” “Man Eats Wild,” “Adeline,” “Go Green,” and more.
A “Directing for Television” panel will feature Debbie Allen, DeMane Davis, Allison Liddi-Brown, and Tom Verica. “From Script to Screen: Women in UK Television” will include female producers and directors working in television in the United Kingdom and “Changing the Narrative on TV: Modern Portrayals of Native Americans” will feature Michael Greyeyes, Jana Schmieding, Angelique Midthunder, Lucas BrownEyes and Q’Orianka Kilcher. “The Art of Adaptation” panelists include Jason Altman, Danielle Kreinik, Kelly Garner, Heather Karpas, Henrik Bastin; and “What’s Next: Europe’s Hottest YA Series” will feature Roberto Sessa, Alberto Espinosa, Jakob M. Erwa, Florian Kamhuber, Melike Leblebicioglu, and Emma Droquova.
The full schedule can be found at http://www.seriesfest.com. Here’s a trailer for the event:
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
